What is Neighbourhood Watch?Neighbourhood Watch is a community-based crime prevention program that has been used internationally to reduce crime by reducing the opportunities for crime to happen. It involves neighbours working together, being alert to suspicious activities and looking out for one another to help create a safer environment for everyone.

Neighbourhood Watch is a safe program that does not require you to patrol or take on the responsibilities of the police. It is about banding together to keep your eyes open to anything that looks out of the ordinary and alerting the police to help prevent crime in our communities.

Let's Connect and Protect.

Why do we need a Neighbourhood Watch?
Simply put, Neighbourhood Watch works. It has been tried and tested for many years and with neighbourhood cooperation, it has always worked. It helps us to feel and be safer, and to create a better place to live, work and play.

Where are the Neighbourhood Watches?A Neighbourhood Watch can be anywhere there are people who want to reduce and prevent crime in their neighbourhood. A street, a cul-de-sac, a block of apartments - there is room for all kinds of neighbourhoods, big or small, in the program. You can help to start one in your neighbourhood, or if there is one already active, you can join anytime.

How can I start a Neighbourhood Watch Program?Make the call. The coordinator, in cooperation with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, will come to your neighbourhood and host a neighbourhood meeting to make sure you and your neighbours have all the details and information to get started.

How can I join a Neighbourhood Watch?
It’s easy! Contact the local Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator who can help you join an existing program in your neighbourhood, or tell you how you can start one in your neighbourhood.

What volunteer opportunities are available with Neighbourhood Watch?
There are great opportunities to help your neighbourhood become safer by volunteering as a Block Captain, Watch Volunteer, or Watch Member with Neighbourhood Watch. It’s easy and it’s fun - connect to your neighbourhood and help protect your community! Call (709) 726-0180 today.

Neighbourhood Watch:Does not require you to patrol your neighbourhood.Does not ask you to take on the role of the police or chase suspected criminals.Does not encourage vigilante behaviour.Does not involve being nosy or invasive or having your neighbours know all of your business.Does not involve going to a lot of meetings, or for you to take on a lot of extra responsibilities or special tasks.Does help prevent crime to create safer neighbourhoods.Does connect neighbours with neighbours and helps build stronger communities.

Jennifer McGrath (left) from the City of St. John's, along with Constable Tanya Schwartz from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, are the faces of Neighbourhood Watch in St. John's. Their goal is to make St. John's a safer city by getting neighbours connecting and being more aware of their surroundings.

Light up the night - keep lights on over doors all night. Well-lit homes are less likely to be targeted by crime.

Use timers set on random on lamps, televisions and/or radios to give the appearance of someone at home if you are out.

Keep windows closed when you are not at home, or if you are in garden or another part of the house.

Lock up sheds and garages properly. If you have a ladder on the back fence, be sure it is attached with locks.

Do not advertise your vacations on social media such as Facebook and Twitter - it is telling the world they have uninterrupted time to break into your home.

Do not hide keys outside or leave notes that tell people when you will be returning.

Stop mail and newspaper delivery when you are away, or have a trusted neighbour collect them for you.

Remove valuables from your car - if necessary, keep items in the trunk, out of sight.

Be the neighbour you wish you had - report suspicious and criminal activity to the police.

Other important community numbers:Emergency: 911Police Main Desk: (709) 729-8000Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477

If you call the Police, Fire Department or Ambulance:- Give your name and address.- Tell them why you are calling, what is happening, when, where and who is involved.- Describe the situation - people, vehicles, etc. - in detail.